Harbaugh the horse struggles in California Derby

On the eve of Jim Harbaugh's third straight NFC Championship game as 49ers coach, a horse named in his honor finished second-to-last Saturday in the California Derby at Golden Gate Fields.

"Better not underestimate him," Harbaugh said Friday when told the horse had 10-to-1 odds of winning. "He likes being underestimated. He'll use that as long as he can. I'm sure."

Exit Stage Left, ridden by jockey Russell Baze and trained by Jerry Hollendorfer, finished first among the eight horses in the $100,000 Cal Derby.

Harbaugh's 49ers are generally considered 3½-point underdogs to the host Seattle Seahawks in Sunday's NFC final. Kickoff is at 3:30 p.m.

San Francisco 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh laughs while speaking to reporters at an NFL football training facility in Santa Clara, Calif., Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2014. The 49ers are scheduled to play the Seattle Seahawks for the NFC Championship on Sunday. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
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Jeff Chiu
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